Real-Men Cook Celebrates 20th Anniversary In Bahamas

As the official destination sponsor of this yearâ€™s Real Men Cook, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation had a presence in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York City and Washington, D.C.

[Business News]

The Islands Of The Bahamas is pleased to announce Sam Sampson of Houston, Texas, and Tony Staton of Brooklyn, New York, are the winners of its Real Men Cook Grand Prize Give-A-Way.

Both men will each receive a four-day, three-night trip for two to the Islands Of The Bahamas. The trip consists of round trip air transportation, ground transportation, and hotel accommodations at the Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort on Grand Bahama Island.

“The Islands Of The Bahamas is pleased to welcome both Sam and Tony as our guests,” said Eddie Archer, regional director-African American Market, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. “We feel confident that both men will fall in love with the warmth and beauty of the Bahamas, the friendliness of the Bahamian people, and our shared history and culture with the African American community.”

As the official destination sponsor of this year’s Real Men Cook, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation had a presence in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York City and Washington, D.C.

Colorful Bahamian chefs were on-hand in these select cities preparing cuisine that can only be found in The Islands Of The Bahamas. Visitors to Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation stations in these select cities also had an opportunity to register to win two grand prize trips for two to The Islands Of The Bahamas.

Held in 11 cities simultaneously on Father’s Day, Real Men Cook features approximately 1,000 volunteer chefs preparing their favorite dishes. The event also provides a platform where “real men” from all walks of life are honored for demonstrating extraordinary commitment to their families and communities.

This year’s event, which was its 19th annual celebration, attracted more than 30,000 people in Atlanta, Chicago, Benton Harbor, MI.; Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. Food sampling in some cities included as many as 300 different dishes all prepared by dads and self-proclaimed committed father figures.

In October, Real Men Cook will kick off its 20th anniversary year in the Islands Of The Bahamas. At that time, Real Men Cook is expected to announce plans to add the Bahamas to the growing list of Real Men Cook cities -- the organization’s first-ever location beyond the shores of the United States.

“Real Men Cook is one of the premiere events in the United States attended by African American families,” said Archer. “The Islands Of The Bahamas is truly honored to be the first international destination to be apart of this time-honored African American family tradition.”

Prior to the Real Men Cook 20th anniversary kick off, Sampson and Staton will have an opportunity to experience The Islands Of The Bahamas for themselves. “In addition to being breathtakingly beautiful, The Islands Of The Bahamas is full of people who look like me,” said Sampson. “One of my travel goals is to visit places where I will feel welcomed and not stand out because of my heritage. A trip to the Bahamas more than accomplishes that goal. My only dilemma now is deciding who to take on my trip.”

A native of East Flatbush Brooklyn, the hub borough of New York City for most Islanders, a trip to the Bahamas is a lifelong dream for Staton.

“All of my close friends and neighbors are from the islands, so I grew up learning about their many different cultures,” said Staton. “A trip to the Bahamas will finally allow me the opportunity to experience some of that culture firsthand.”

Real Men Cook is presented by Real Men Charities, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago. The organization is on a national crusade to positively change the way the world views men in relationship to their families and communities and ultimately transform how Father’s Day is celebrated around the world. Since its inception, Real Men Cook has raised over $1 million for participating charities whose missions reflect Real Men Cook’s resolve to uplift the community.

Conceived and launched in Chicago in 1989 by entrepreneurs Yvette Moyo and Kofi Moyo, and produced by the marketing firm they founded, Resource Associates International, Ltd., the growth of Real Men Cook into a national celebration has spawned the success of several branded products, including Real Men Cook Sweet Potato Pound Cake, a boxed gourmet cake mix, and Real Men Cook Coffee, which was introduced in 2007 and is available on line at http://www.realmencook.com/.

The book REAL MEN COOK, published by Simon & Schuster, is now in paperback, by popular demand. Thecookbook includes a compilation of 100 favorite event recipes and features a Foreword that includes U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s memories of attending the events with his family. Please see www.realmencook.com.

For more information on travel packages to the Bahamas, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. To purchase one-of-a-kind items and mementos from the Bahamas, visit http://www.eshopbahamas.com/.